Scott Hogan vows to prove his worth at Aston Villa and repay fans who stuck by him
Scott Hogan has vowed to start justifying his £12million fee for Villa and repay supporters who stuck by him during a difficult first year at the club.
The 25-year-old striker’s goal in Villa’s thumping 5-0 New Year’s Day win over Bristol City was his first in the Championship this season – and only his second since arriving in a big money move from Brentford last January.
Hogan hopes to use the strike as a platform to better things after admitting the lack of goals had left him low on confidence.
In a brutally honest interview, the Republic of Ireland international revealed how he sought the advice of friends and family and faced up to a few ‘home truths’ in a bid to recapture his form.
And he thanked fans for their continued support despite his struggles.
“The fans have been really good, considering their club spent a lot of money on a striker who hasn’t scored goals,” said Hogan.
“I would like to think they understand I do work hard. Hopefully I can repay them more than anything because they are brilliant.
“There are not many like them in this league - probably not many in the league above. I would like to just repay them and hopefully, if there are people are on my back, I can now start changing their opinion.”
He added: “I’m confident once I get going, once I get my confidence, you will see what you spent the money on.”
Hogan, who earned his move to Villa after blasting 15 goals for Brentford in the first half of last season, spoke to former team-mates and managers for advice during a goal drought which, he admits, forced him on several occasions to ‘look in the mirror’.
“I needed to get their opinion, they were going to be honest with me and they have been,” he said. “Maybe a few home truths have been told to me. You have to learn. I’m 25, a grown man.
"You have to look at yourself in the mirror sometimes, get your head straight, clear your mind and do what you can do, what you have always done. Hopefully that will now result in more goals.”
The former Rochdale star did find the net three times in the Carabao Cup earlier this season but found opportunities in the Championship limited by inconsistent form, bad luck with injuries and the emergence of teenage star Keinan Davis.
Hogan has now started the last three league games and acknowledges he must learn to adapt his previous style in order to be a success in Steve Bruce’s team.
Yet a player who has fought his way up from the non-league ranks – and recovered from serious injury earlier in his career – is confident he can still be a success at Villa Park.
“I might not have not scored for 12 months but I have had worse times in my career,” said Hogan, who twice underwent surgery on a cruciate ligament injury while with Brentford.
“I have been in the game as a professional for four years and two of those I did not play because I was injured. I've had worse to test me mentally. Mentally, this is no issue. I would like to think not many things will break me.
“It just comes down to me, really. Working hard and doing what I know I can do.
“Playing how I want to play and what the gaffer wants me to do. I have to change, I have to adapt to what he wants, more than anything. Or I am not going to play.
“I am trying to change, little by little, adapt from what I would normally do to what the manager wants because he picks the team. He expects his faith rewarded.”
“Whatever has gone, has gone. I am still confident. I am confident I am the best striker at the club. (Jonathan) Kodjia will say the same. Keinan (Davis) will say the same. You have to.
“You have to believe. You have to think like that.
“It has beaten me up a lot, not scoring. But hopefully this is a sign of things to come.”